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It might be too tacky for some, but others embrace it with open arms. Wherever you stand when it comes to Tiki, one thing’s for sure: there’s no mistaking this style when you come across it. Although inspired by Tiki statues and mythology of the South Pacific, the connection is loose and stylistic. Americans embraced it in the 20th century and to this day, some of the country’s most entertaining lounge bars and restaurants are covered floor to ceiling with its aesthetic. So dim the lights, settle in, and let the Tiki takeover.

Bigger isn’t always better, and this mantra has been embraced in every corner of interior design and architecture over the last several years. A growing number of consumers are opting to significantly reduce their carbon footprint and it shows in how they are choosing to live, work, dine and travel. Creating usable smaller spaces is a trend that continues to resonate with not just homeowners, but business owners as well. These unique, well-designed spaces prove that minimal square footage can still be fully functional and great places can be contained within small spaces.

Traveling can be a stressful and often uncomfortable event, whether you’re getting around on land or by air. When choosing a mode of transportation, one might consider distance, ease, comfort and style. Designing the interior spaces of airplanes, trains and automobiles presents a unique set of challenges that an interior designer may not have to consider when designing the interior of a home or other building, but regardless of the type space, a good designer always keeps the focus on how the occupant will use the space. Anticipating the evolving needs and habits of travelers reshapes the standards for designing these modes of transportation. This post will transport you on a journey through cutting-edge design innovation that transforms travel into an experience.

Interior design trends are reflections of the lifestyle changes we embrace in society. As our mindsets and attitudes shift about certain behaviors and ideals, it’s often reflected in the built environment surrounding us. Design Institute of San Diego predicts that 2016 will be a year in which interior design focuses inward: a step back from using technology as a room’s focal point and opting for knowledge and enrichment to take the center stage instead, open spaces that can be customized easily to fit the demands of a family’s day-to-day needs, customization to suit the owner’s personality, and a continued acceptance of building spaces with a strong connection with nature and that promote health and well-being.

Imagine your home as a place for regeneration, a sanctuary for healing the wounds of the outside world. It is clean, not cluttered and unmanageable. It prevents disease and injury and restores you when the inevitable occurs. It regenerates you on a daily basis, supporting good sleep, encouraging exercise, making it fun to do healthy cooking. – Read More –

Technology advances at such a rapid rate in this day and age that it seems like as soon as one gets acquainted with the latest software or app, a new version replaces it, prolonging the learning process. This rapid evolution, however, allows interior designers and architects to dazzle their clients with project renderings enhanced by the ever grander tools and tricks that come with the latest 3D software upgrade. With each iteration, designers are able to create renderings that are much more realistic, thus making it easier for clients to envision the end result. Design Institute of San Diego explores a few of the more widely used computer software programs for interior designers and architects and, more specifically, the latest features not found in older versions.

When does a sea vessel cross the line from being just an ordinary boat to an extravagant yacht? While both give us the unique experience of enjoying life on the high seas , yachts, known to be the epitome of excess and luxury, allow affluent people to marry their love for the sea with their penchant for lavish living. With the most costly yachts in the world surpassing the $300 million mark in building costs, these vessels may be the most expensive option in both luxury goods and vacation retreats. When budget isn’t an issue, yacht interior designers, builders and owners pull out all the stops to create over-the-top sea dwellings.

Even when cost is not the most significant factor in yacht design, it remains a major one due to the extra challenges that surface when adapting current design trends from the mainland to the special conditions of being out at sea. Being mindful of the unique surroundings allow yacht designers to create innovative design solutions without sacrificing personal design aesthetics. The Design Institute of San Diego explores some of these most outrageous yachts, and “superyachts,” sailing through the ocean blue at the moment. Allow this post to pull you inside the realm of yacht interior design and leave you sailing into the horizon.

They don’t call it the heart of the home for nothing. Kitchens have always been a favorite room in the home to spend time, rivaling the living or bedroom areas of any abode with the aromatic draw of countless meals being prepared and shared. Though typically a utilitarian space, it’s also a space to create and connect with others.

Because it is such a comforting gathering space for many homes, inhabitants are willing to shell out a pretty penny to customize their kitchens to fit their unique lifestyles. If your kitchen is in dire need of a redesign, consider these predictions in kitchen trends for the upcoming new year that are not only aesthetically pleasing, but eco-conscious as well.

If you ask us, nothing beats a trip to a theme park in the summertime. It’s the one destination where those looking for an escape can satiate their appetites for adventure, fantasy and excitement. Whether you’re a thrill seeker looking to spend your day plunging down 150-ft. drops and riding out strong G forces, or a hopeful child with the goal of collecting photos and autographs of all your favorite theme park characters, these popular summer destinations have been designed with the sole purpose of giving you the experience of a lifetime. But have you ever stopped to think about just how much time and technical planning goes into providing that feeling of wonder and whimsy when you step through the turnstiles?

A great deal, actually. Just as important as the engineers who design and build the latest and greatest roller coasters are the designers who provide their expertise to create the built environment surrounding these attractions. Believe it or not, some interior designers only work on theme parks, using fantasy, sights, sounds and smells to develop exciting and colorful visual components that are consistent with the park theme, and to enhance the rides, walkways and exhibits. Theme park designers are responsible for developing permanent and temporary animated displays, unique signs, specialized fixtures, and many exciting visual displays that together create the look and feel of an amusement park. – Read More –

At one time, only people with a history or art history background worked in museums. Today, however, when it comes to interior design careers, a museum has many opportunities for interior designers, including creating design concepts for promotional and community projects as well as designing spaces specificially for the preservation of fine art, sculpture, historical textiles, books, and other artifacts. Due to the fragile conditions of most museum collections, an understanding of the effects of lighting on various art is essential. Design Institute looked at a few examples of some extrodinary museum designs that deserve to be recognized.